The Peoria Mustangs tried to dig themselves out of a two-goal hole, but the Wisconsin Whalers held on for a 5-4 victory.

A goal by D.J. Mussey put Wisconsin up 5-3 in the third period, but Peoria pulled to within one on Brennan Anderson's tally 16:08 into the third period.

Zach Johnson had one goal and two assists to lead the Whalers. Johnson scored 19:24 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Wisconsin. Tim Tarvis provided the assist.

Wisconsin kept the Mustangs' goalie busy throughout the game, and Marc Hayton made 41 saves on 46 shots.

Wisconsin also got points from Mussey, who also finished with one goal and one assist, Ryan Martin, who also grabbed one goal and two assists, Jason Hoehn, who also had one goal and one assist, and Tarvis, who also registered one goal and one assist. Other players who recorded assists for Wisconsin were Clayton Janecke, Kevin Stone, and Nathan Iaciancio, who each chipped in one.

Peoria's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on six Wisconsin power plays.

The Mustangs were led by Sam Turner, who tallied two goals and one assist. Turner scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 9:31 into the first period to make the score 1-1. Peoria had gotten the advantage when the Whalers' Dan Addie was sent off for slashing. Austin Wisely assisted on the tally. Turner's next tally on the power play made the score 3-3 with 17:19 left in the third period. Peoria additionally got points from Wisely, who also finished with one goal and one assist. More assists for Peoria came via Nathan Chasteen, who had one and Brendan Murphy, who had two.

Wisconsin's Michal Marcinek stopped 26 shots out of the 30 that he faced. The Whalers incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors. The Mustangs incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors.